Melbourne scientists identify protein that could help regulate a person’s weight

Australian scientists have uncovered a protein in our brains responsible for regulating fat storage, which they say could hold the key to controlling weight gain and loss.

In a major study, Melbourne researchers found a neurological switch in the hunger-sensing neurons in the human brain that tells the human body how to deal with fat – whether it is burning it while dieting, or storing it in the body when normal eating resumes.

According to Professor Zane Andrews of the Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, controlling that switch could be an important factor in preventing excessive fat storage leading to obesity.

Australian scientists are hoping the discovery of a protein in the human brain that controls fat regulation could be the key to also monitoring weight gain and loss (Supplied). (Supplied)

“If we can work out a way to try and prevent that switch from going to fat storage mode, we might be able to promote fat-burning – and therefore help keep the weight off,” he said.